Customization location

[Anonymous]

A group of us CAD Managers have been having a little discussion on the
relative merits of different locations for customization, and I thought I
would see what the rest of the world is doing.
So...
1: Where do you store your customization? Share on the server or local (in
R2004, documents & settings or another location)?
2: If local, how do you update files? Manually, automatically at user logon
(controlled by group membership?), automatically at AutoCAD launch?
3: Do you also customize Acad menus and update the same way?
4: Anything else you are doing that is slick (especially with regards to new
appraoches vis-a-vis R2004)?

Best,
Gordon

[Anonymous]

We do a combination of customization files on the server and others that are
copied to the local machines via a batch file run as a logon script.

John

"Gordon Price" wrote in message
news:C17AE5D9CD2A0E01F39B35098AE6586F@in.WebX.maYIadrTaRb...
> A group of us CAD Managers have been having a little discussion on the
> relative merits of different locations for customization, and I thought I
> would see what the rest of the world is doing.
> So...
> 1: Where do you store your customization? Share on the server or local (in
> R2004, documents & settings or another location)?
> 2: If local, how do you update files? Manually, automatically at user
logon
> (controlled by group membership?), automatically at AutoCAD launch?
> 3: Do you also customize Acad menus and update the same way?
> 4: Anything else you are doing that is slick (especially with regards to
new
> appraoches vis-a-vis R2004)?
>
> Best,
> Gordon
>
>

[Anonymous]

Standard menus are kept locally. So, if someone accidentally compiles an
MNS, it only affects them.
Our custom menus is kept on the server for all to share. It contains all the
custom lisp, etc.
All other customizations also kept on server, for ease of updates. (custom
ADT content, etc)

We do NOT customize the standard ACAD stuff. All of our customizations go in
a separate add-in menu. It will carry over to the next release alot easier
this way, and its easy to backup that single menu for safe-keeping.

We also use the "autoload" command alot, so that custom commands are only
loaded when the user needs it.
I wish Autocad would do that. It would make loading up autocad alot faster.



"Gordon Price" wrote in message
news:C17AE5D9CD2A0E01F39B35098AE6586F@in.WebX.maYIadrTaRb...
> A group of us CAD Managers have been having a little discussion on the
> relative merits of different locations for customization, and I thought I
> would see what the rest of the world is doing.
> So...
> 1: Where do you store your customization? Share on the server or local (in
> R2004, documents & settings or another location)?
> 2: If local, how do you update files? Manually, automatically at user
logon
> (controlled by group membership?), automatically at AutoCAD launch?
> 3: Do you also customize Acad menus and update the same way?
> 4: Anything else you are doing that is slick (especially with regards to
new
> appraoches vis-a-vis R2004)?
>
> Best,
> Gordon
>
>

[Anonymous]

"F. Gump" wrote in message
news:CA0FF1725F341E789B66924273FAC9F3@in.WebX.maYIadrTaRb...
> We do NOT customize the standard ACAD stuff. All of our customizations go
in
> a separate add-in menu. It will carry over to the next release alot easier
> this way, and its easy to backup that single menu for safe-keeping.
I used to not, but a couple of things have come up that suggest it is a good
idea. I have cleaned up the menus based on the Woody's Word Annoyances
theory that 50% of toolbar buttons are for demos, and many important
everyday use buttons are missing. Also, I have changed the behavior of
things like CopyClip to default to ask for a base point. Perhaps this can be
done with a custom menu partial load and I couldn't figure out how?

> We also use the "autoload" command alot, so that custom commands are only
> loaded when the user needs it.
> I wish Autocad would do that. It would make loading up autocad alot
faster.
I agree with you there. Having ADT load everything, when the design phase
lasts months, then the documentation phase lasts months, is a pain. So much
better to just load the tools you need. Ideally I would like to define the
'Phase' a project is in, then define what tools are preloaded for each
phase. When a user opens a file, it ids the project, get's the phase the
project is in, and preloads a subset of tools appropriate to that phase.
everything else is demand loaded. In a perfect world 😉

Best,
Gordon

[Anonymous]

currenly i keep all public customizition on the server...all private i keep
protected on my machine...on each machine i load one lisp
file..main.lsp...and i use this lisp to load all public customiztion.

i dont use this for autocad but for sql databases i use access for a front
end (nice quick and easy)...i have it check the server once a month and
overwrite itself if its older then what is on the server.

so i guess it depends on what i want to do...i have found both ways good for
different things.

Jaime

"Gordon Price" wrote in message
news:C17AE5D9CD2A0E01F39B35098AE6586F@in.WebX.maYIadrTaRb...
> A group of us CAD Managers have been having a little discussion on the
> relative merits of different locations for customization, and I thought I
> would see what the rest of the world is doing.
> So...
> 1: Where do you store your customization? Share on the server or local (in
> R2004, documents & settings or another location)?
> 2: If local, how do you update files? Manually, automatically at user
logon
> (controlled by group membership?), automatically at AutoCAD launch?
> 3: Do you also customize Acad menus and update the same way?
> 4: Anything else you are doing that is slick (especially with regards to
new
> appraoches vis-a-vis R2004)?
>
> Best,
> Gordon
>
>

[Anonymous]

>> theory that 50% of toolbar buttons are for demos, and many important
>> everyday use buttons are missing.

Yeah, but who am I to tell the user what is and isn't an important
toolbutton? Maybe some users rely on the "?" icon for Help, hehe.
Also, they can always turn on and off standard toolbars. New employees
appreciate it too.

>>Also, I have changed the behavior of
> things like CopyClip to default to ask for a base point.

Yes, this is one of my custom commands. My office has 2 copyclip icons. One
is the standard, which some people still like using, and the other is
slightly modified to include a base point option. Our custom stuff is on a
separate toolbar (and menu) and has a different looking icon.


"Gordon Price" wrote in message
news:670E36BA4F43BC84B13499C07C9EF1A2@in.WebX.maYIadrTaRb...
>
> "F. Gump" wrote in message
> news:CA0FF1725F341E789B66924273FAC9F3@in.WebX.maYIadrTaRb...
> > We do NOT customize the standard ACAD stuff. All of our customizations
go
> in
> > a separate add-in menu. It will carry over to the next release alot
easier
> > this way, and its easy to backup that single menu for safe-keeping.
> I used to not, but a couple of things have come up that suggest it is a
good
> idea. I have cleaned up the menus based on the Woody's Word Annoyances
> theory that 50% of toolbar buttons are for demos, and many important
> everyday use buttons are missing. Also, I have changed the behavior of
> things like CopyClip to default to ask for a base point. Perhaps this can
be
> done with a custom menu partial load and I couldn't figure out how?
>
> > We also use the "autoload" command alot, so that custom commands are
only
> > loaded when the user needs it.
> > I wish Autocad would do that. It would make loading up autocad alot
> faster.
> I agree with you there. Having ADT load everything, when the design phase
> lasts months, then the documentation phase lasts months, is a pain. So
much
> better to just load the tools you need. Ideally I would like to define the
> 'Phase' a project is in, then define what tools are preloaded for each
> phase. When a user opens a file, it ids the project, get's the phase the
> project is in, and preloads a subset of tools appropriate to that phase.
> everything else is demand loaded. In a perfect world 😉
>
> Best,
> Gordon
>
>

[Anonymous]

Gordon Price wrote:

> A group of us CAD Managers have been having a little discussion on the
> relative merits of different locations for customization, and I thought I
> would see what the rest of the world is doing.
> So...
> 1: Where do you store your customization? Share on the server or local (in
> R2004, documents & settings or another location)?


Seperate Server, all modified stuff is on a central server for all to access


> 2: If local, how do you update files? Manually, automatically at user logon
> (controlled by group membership?), automatically at AutoCAD launch?


The only things loaded locally are the default items, just as installed, other than including the server location in the
search path for the customized stuff.


> 3: Do you also customize Acad menus and update the same way?


Our whole system is installed throught the use of MNL file, we use a couple of Partial menus for the loading, this is
both easy to maintain and easy to dsitribute, all the user has to do once the initial setup (installation) is comnpleted
is to restart AutoCAD to see any changes. Works like a charm.


> 4: Anything else you are doing that is slick (especially with regards to new
> appraoches vis-a-vis R2004)?


Not on 2004 yet, don't know when we'll go there either.

bobb

[Anonymous]

At my previous office, stock autocad would be installed.
A batch would be ran to delete out the unwanted files installed locally
like simplex.shx and acad.lin. The customization was stored on the file
server. In use it the user would drag a file called install.lsp into his autocad.
It would then add the paths to the autocad search path, load lisps and load menu's.
We had a modified copy of that for laptop users, but it was always out of date.

At my current company the customization is held on the server but copied locally.
It is copied via the login script. We also added a SWS (sync with server) command to
be ran inside autocad to sync the customization if something had changed. All customization
was then ran locally. This works with desktops and laptops alike. We have a heavly
modified autocad/company customazition setup here. But I am working on simpilfying it and might
move it back to the server.

Having worked with both I prefer the server, but need the ability to copy/run locally for laptop
users disconnected from the network.

[Anonymous]

>>snip
A batch would be ran to delete out the unwanted files installed locally
like simplex.shx and acad.lin. The customization was stored on the file
server.

-- I'd leave the default styles (shx but not lin) local - when the network
needs a reboot... or goes down, they'll still be available.

>>snip
Having worked with both I prefer the server, but need the ability to
copy/run locally for laptop
users disconnected from the network.

-- I have similar experience and opinion about best location... we used
batch files to download from server when a major upgrade was made-- (email
to notify users - especially laptop users)

Also - Blocks and Slides - I found placing a block and related slide (SLD
or SLB) in the Same folder reduces searching for missing files-- either both
or none are there, and your problem idetifies itself as folder not in search
path.

And on the search path subject... The most frequently sought files should be
at the top of the list - it searches in order.

[Anonymous]

"PF"
|>>>snip
|>A batch would be ran to delete out the unwanted files installed locally
|>like simplex.shx and acad.lin. The customization was stored on the file
|>server.

The reason for the font was instead of using company.shx we chose to use
a modified simplex.shx with added characters. We had a font folder on the
network, but simplex.shx is installed in the acad\support folder incorrectly.
Also we found that the stock bold.shx font needed modification. Our
customization was basically tacked onto the end of the stock autocad setup.
The custom support file paths were always at the end of the stock autocad
paths. It was easier to implement and I found it to be a simpler solution.


|>-- I'd leave the default styles (shx but not lin) local - when the network
|>needs a reboot... or goes down, they'll still be available.

When the network goes down its time to go to lunch 😞 you cannot
do any work cuz the drawings are on the network. I believe in 99% uptime
and think it can be easily achieved with a sound plan and competent staff.
So downtime is not really an issue to me.

|>>>snip
|>Having worked with both I prefer the server, but need the ability to
|>copy/run locally for laptop
|>users disconnected from the network.
|>
|>-- I have similar experience and opinion about best location... we used
|>batch files to download from server when a major upgrade was made-- (email
|>to notify users - especially laptop users)

>Also - Blocks and Slides - I found placing a block and related slide (SLD
|>or SLB) in the Same folder reduces searching for missing files-- either both
|>or none are there, and your problem idetifies itself as folder not in search
|>path.
|>

Ah block menu's. Back in the day these were crucial 🙂
You are correct. But my civil career has taken me in a direction where I just
don't use blocks very often, so I have avoided those issues.



|>And on the search path subject... The most frequently sought files should be
|>at the top of the list - it searches in order.

With the speed of today's networks and computers I haven't messed with search
path order very much. I just don't find it to be an issue anymore. Again I keep
autocad perty much stock and add my customization at the end.

[Anonymous]

I posted a file in
"autodesk.aec.arch-desktop.customer-gallery" with the subject "Customization
folder structure".  It shows how I have create local setups.

Nothing is changed to the basic
AutoCAD setup.  You just add the search paths to the new folders as
required.

[Anonymous]

snip>>
Our customization was basically tacked onto the end of the stock autocad
setup.
The custom support file paths were always at the end of the stock autocad
paths. It was easier to implement and I found it to be a simpler solution.

There's the source of your headache! Your changes should be tacked onto hte
BEGINNING of the search path--- it searches in order!


That's OK- but now that you modified the font (shx file), it can't be
reliably used with the same name outside youtr office.
Then, you don't specify that the files stay in-house... that'd be OK, too.

snip>>
When the network goes down its time to go to lunch 😞 you cannot
do any work cuz the drawings are on the network. I believe in 99% uptime
and think it can be easily achieved with a sound plan and competent staff.
So downtime is not really an issue to me.

A drawing that's open remains open! But, essentially, this is one to keep
in mind for Laptops that 'visit' the network.


|>And on the search path subject... The most frequently sought files should
be
|>at the top of the list - it searches in order.

With the speed of today's networks and computers I haven't messed with
search
path order very much. I just don't find it to be an issue anymore. Again I
keep
autocad perty much stock and add my customization at the end.

It matters- see snip 1!

[Anonymous]

"PF"
|>snip>>
|> Our customization was basically tacked onto the end of the stock autocad
|>setup.
|>The custom support file paths were always at the end of the stock autocad
|>paths. It was easier to implement and I found it to be a simpler solution.
|>
|>There's the source of your headache! Your changes should be tacked onto hte
|>BEGINNING of the search path--- it searches in order!

I don't have any headaches. I want to take a stock autocad and add customization
to it. Like I said there is only a hand full of files that conflict and I am happy to manually
delete the offenders.

|>That's OK- but now that you modified the font (shx file), it can't be
|>reliably used with the same name outside youtr office.
|>Then, you don't specify that the files stay in-house... that'd be OK, too.

True. There is tradeoffs. I didn't want to go around to all the drawings rechanging
the simplex.shx font to company.shx. There is also things like default settings and such.
Its just easier on the end user to stick with the same old font.

eTransmit sends out the font and I rarely ever have anyone complain about fonts not showing up correctly.

|>snip>>
|>When the network goes down its time to go to lunch 😞 you cannot
|>do any work cuz the drawings are on the network. I believe in 99% uptime
|>and think it can be easily achieved with a sound plan and competent staff.
|>So downtime is not really an issue to me.
|>
|>A drawing that's open remains open! But, essentially, this is one to keep
|>in mind for Laptops that 'visit' the network.
|>
|>
|>|>And on the search path subject... The most frequently sought files should
|>be
|>|>at the top of the list - it searches in order.
|>
|>With the speed of today's networks and computers I haven't messed with
|>search
|>path order very much. I just don't find it to be an issue anymore. Again I
|>keep
|>autocad perty much stock and add my customization at the end.
|>
|>It matters- see snip 1!

I cannot see a difference.

[Anonymous]

snip>> I cannot see a difference.

Why is it when you Lose something, it always (!) shows up in the last place
you look?
[because why would you look after you'vefound it?]

Try this - and please be faithful - it has NOTHING to do with speed- but
with content of what is sought and found.
The difference is obvious when you really set up search paths set 1 vs.
set 2

set 1 (default search path order - as installed - forgive any errors in
order of this list)
>program files
>> AutoCAD r2002
>>>Support
>>>Fonts (SHX files)
>> including the Standard Font as shipped by AutoDesk
.... (etc.)
>>>Help

set 2 (as you would want to arrange them for your font to be located)
>program files
>> AutoCAD r2002
>>>Support
>>>Fonts - modified
>> including the Standard Font as used by your office
>>>Fonts (SHX files)
>> including the Standard Font as shipped by AutoDesk
.... (etc.)
>>>Help

No matter what name you give your font - the search path also dictates the
ORDER that is used to find the file.
Once found... the program opens, reads, and goes on...
It finds the fuile you need in search path IN THE ORDER SPECIFIED...

Again- IT'S NOT A MATTER OF SPEED!
To demonstrate more obviously, copy GREEKS.shx to ACAD r2000's root folder
(just below Program Files), rename it as Simplex.shx, and watch the results!
(do nothing to Simplex.shx in the Fonts folder)

Regards !